Retro Hotel Finds for the Mid Century Road Tripper

Hotel parking signs point guests towards their final destination. — Photography by Adrian Wilson.

Vacations might look a little different this year, but it doesn’t mean you have to leave behind the joys of a mid century getaway. All of our mid century hotel favorites are following the guidelines to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy, so you can escape to fun and retro hotel locations across the nation where you’ll be immersed in all things retro. From a Boston hotspot filled with music history to a family friendly Florida resort and more, these are the places to go for a getaway with mid century apropos.

Night falls on a retro hotel pool beneath many window walls with colorful stained glass windows. — The aqua waters of this roomy pool practically glow beneath the stained glass windows of this retro hotel. Photography by Adrian Wilson.

The Verb

Boston, Massachusetts

Looking for a vacation that breaks the mold with great architecture and a rock ‘n’ roll vibe? Look no further than The Verb. With a tagline of “The rebirth of a spirit that began in ’59,” this hotel is a refreshed version of its roots as the Fenway Motor Hotel.

Originally built in 1959 by architects Irving Salsberg and Ralph Leblanc, its true modernist spirit and location in the backyard of Fenway Park turned it into a local icon. Renamed and revamped with a fresh take on Boston’s unique music scene, while fully embracing its mid century style, The Verb is a modern getaway with true respect for its past.

For more info on The Verb, call (617) 566-4500 or visit theverbhotel.com.

Retro hotel room with neutral colors and modern lighting. — The large bed and TV leave plenty of room for relaxing during your retro road trip vacation. Photography by Adrian Wilson.

Tufted yellow couch in front of a blue accent wall with a gallery of framed, mid century art pieces. — The bright yellow sofa complements the beautifully bold accent wall and all its memorable decor statements. Photography by Adrian Wilson.

A red, rounded, retro car beneath The Verb sign. — The Verb is ready for guests to arrive and enjoy all the impressive amenities it has to offer. Photography by Adrian Wilson.

Tufted orange sofa built into a small room with many spotted cowhide pillows. — This tufted orange sofa with cowhide pillows earns a thumbs-up for coziness and a smile for nostalgic bliss. Photography by Adrian Wilson.

Four small neon signs direct guests to their room numbers in a dark hotel hallway with bright blue doors. — Don’t let the stylish, dark hallway fool you—this place is full of fun and happy times just waiting for you and yours. Just let the neon directive signs guide you to your room! Photography by Adrian Wilson.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Orlando, Florida

Step into a retro poolside paradise at Universal Studios’ Cabana Bay Beach Resort. From its colorful façade and striped pool umbrellas to the vintage-inspired bowling alley and family-friendly atmosphere, this hotel is a perfect vacation spot for the retronaut. The Cabana Bay Beach Resort takes the best of the 1950s and ’60s to create a fun, lighthearted ambience.

The hotel’s joyful take on the atomic era is as refreshing as it is bright. With family rooms and plenty of venue options for food and drinks, as well as an AAA three-diamond rating, Cabana Bay Beach Resort also offers guests exclusive benefits within the Universal Studios theme park.

For more info on Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, call (407) 503-4000 or visit loewshotels.com.

Large pool surrounded by retro hotel umbrellas and palm trees under a bright blue sky. — Lighten the mood with a dip in the pool, surrounded by retro umbrellas and mid century vibes. Photography by Universal Orlando Resort.

Cozy retro hotel room has blue patterned sheets and bold orange headboards. — Feel the luxury of this retro hotel in every way—from the brightly-colored rooms to the classic artwork hanging over the bed frames. Photography by Universal Orlando Resort.

Brightly-colored mid century kitchenette in a retro hotel. — Natural wood finishes complement the brilliantly modern design of this retro hotel room. Photography by Universal Orlando Resort.

Retro hotel lobby has a round blue carpeted area with bright orange chairs, white pillars and palm trees beneath the middle of a domed glass ceiling. — It’d be hard not to feel like a classy 1950s movie star when sitting in this retro hotel lobby, complete with natural lighting and graceful pillars. Photography by Universal Orlando Resort.

Brightly colored retro hotel bar area has futuristic furniture, funky painted walls and shiny blue floors. — Have we stepped into our bright future or merely into the breath-taking bar area of the Cabana Bay Beach Resort? Or both? Photography by Universal Orlando Resort.

Retro bus leaves the roundabout in front of the Cabana Bay Beach Resort. — The cheery Cabana Bay sign winks at distant road-trippers ready for a mid century experience they’ll never forget. Photography by Universal Orlando Resort.

Hotel Valley Ho

Scottsdale, Arizona

Take a break from the desert heat at Hotel Valley Ho. Originally built in 1956, the hotel was restored and reopened in 2005 with modern amenities that blend seamlessly with original details and mid century style. Furthering the commitment to an authentic restoration, the original builder, Kitchell, came back to tackle the hotel’s redesign.

When first designed by Edward L. Varney and Associates, the hotel featured a unique blend of Mid Century Modern and Southwestern. The combination was a hit, making it a local icon and drawing a crowd of Hollywood’s elite. If resting in the beauty of this spa-and-restaurant-boasting hotel isn’t enough, its location in Downtown Scottsdale offers art galleries, restaurants, shopping and more within walking distance.

For more info on Hotel Valley Ho, call (480) 248-2000 or visit hotelvalleyho.com.

Dusk falls on the glowing Valley Ho sign on the side of the retro hotel. — The Hotel Valley Ho is a retro beacon to all road-trippers on the lookout for a blissful mid century getaway. Photography by Hotel Valley Ho.

A hotel room's kitchenette has bright yellow cabinets and off-white counters. — This sweet yellow kitchenette allows you to feel at home while you’re away from home. Photography by Hotel Valley Ho.

Palm trees and retro hotel umbrellas surround the side of a large round hotel pool. — The Hotel Valley Ho staff are taking all precautions and safety measures to ensure you and your loved ones a healthy space to vacation. Photography by Hotel Valley Ho.

Retro hotel bathroom that's mostly blue and cool tones with a large tub and walk-in shower. — You’ll never catch the blues in this cool-toned bathroom—complete with a spacious tub and abundant counter space. Photography by Hotel Valley Ho.

Neutral retro hotel room with a patterned carpet and dark orange curtains. — We love a neutral color scheme with bold pops of accent colors. Photography by Hotel Valley Ho.

Retro hotel living room with mismatched modern furniture pieces. — Every inch of this retro hotel pays homage to its mid century roots. From the rustic leather sofa to the funky cherry-red coffee table, this room is not afraid to show its true colors. Photography by Hotel Valley Ho.

Palm Springs, California

What mid century-fueled vacation roundup would be complete without the quintessential desert hotspot? This sunny oasis is the mecca of mid century enthusiasm— making it a breeze to find stylish and inspiring places to stay—but these two stand out thanks to their authentic charm and location in the historic Tennis Club neighborhood.

Del Marcos Hotel

Designed in 1947 by architect William F. Cody, the Del Marcos Hotel received Class 1 historic site designation by the Palm Springs City Council in 2012. The hotel was Cody’s first independent commission in the city—and won an award for the cutting-edge architecture that features native stone, redwood and a U-shape wrapped around the pool.

Now, the adult-only hotel invites guests with period-appropriate furnishings, a heated saltwater pool and complementary use of beach cruisers. Each of the bright, unique rooms dons a name that represents what guests will find inside—like the Don Wexler room where framed architectural drawings serve as wall art.

For more info on Del Marcos Hotel, call (800) 676-1214 or visit delmarcoshotel.com.

A black and white poster hangs above a round breakfast table with matching modern chairs. — Built in 1947, the retro hotel’s design is meant to make guests feel as though they’ve stepped out of their cars and into a magical, mid century paradise. Photography courtesy of Del Marcos Hotel.

A small corner TV plays old classics above an indoor exposed stone wall. — Exposed stone walls accent the Mid Century Modern furniture to make you feel simultaneously refreshed and nostalgic. Photography courtesy of Del Marcos Hotel.

Orbit In

With just nine rooms, this hotel has been lovingly passed on from one mid century enthusiast couple to another. Creators Stan Amy and Christy Eugenis brought the hotel to life in 2001 after carefully refreshing the Herb Burns courtyard-style paradise. They sold the hotel to frequent vacationers Kevin Miller and Jinny Park in 2007. Since then, the Orbit In has maintained its longstanding charm and consistent popularity.

Each room is furnished with pieces from the icons of mid century design: Ray Eames, Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi and Richard Schultz, to name a few. The rooms are more like studio apartments tucked against the San Jacinto Mountains, featuring sitting areas, kitchenettes and unobstructed views of the pool.

For more info on Orbit In, call (877) 996-7248 or visit orbitin.com.